Nov. 21--MANKATO -- Developers are planning to build a threestory 94-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel near River Hills Mall next year. A second phase involves the construction of an 82- room hotel nearby.

The Mankato Planning Commission approved a permit for the six-acre "phased hospitality campus" Wednesday evening. It includes a 6,000-square-foot parcel for a future restaurant, but the developer doesn't have a confirmed tenant for the area, according to a city review of the permit request.

The development has its own impact on River Hills Mall.

It would bring the total square footage of building area on the mall property to within 1.4 percent of 1 million square feet. Once that threshold is reached, the mall would have to conduct an expensive and lengthy environmental impact statement.

The hotel investors are from a Utah- based firm, Mercury Investments, said Paul Vogel, Mankato community development director. That firm has investments in the University Square development and AmericInn Hotel & Suites, both near Minnesota State University.

Vogel said construction on the first hotel is slated to begin next spring and continue throughout most of 2009.

The second hotel, a TownePlace Suites, could be started after the first hotel is completed, he said.

The Mankato City Council is expected to vote on the hotel during its Dec. 8 meeting.

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